Blood thinners (post csection)

[FirstTimeBumps]

I was wondering what blood thinners people were given after surgery (csection). Last time I was given a 10 day stint if fragmin injections. They were horrid and amongst the baby blue they nearly destroyed me. Even with my OH doing them I'd stay upstairs as long as possible dreading them. I'm opting for an ELCS this time and was wondering if there is an alternative? I've seen alternative medications listed with some oral options however I'm not sure if they give you fragmin specifically for csection for some reason. Has anyone had an alternative?

I had the same injections so unfortunately I can’t give you much advice on anything different. However I had the doctors doing it every day as I went to see my son in the NICU (born early). I couldn’t bare anyone I know or care about or even my then OH giving me the injections in case I hated them for the pain IYSWIM lol. I was told fragmin was my only option really x

I was given 6 weeks of clexane, they hurt a bit just after I injected and bruised if I rubbed it but they were generally ok. I don’t know how they chose which to give though.

I have had a blood clot in the past so as a precaution am on dalteparin (fragmin) injections every day for my entire pregnancy (from around 6 weeks) and 6 weeks afterwards! Wish I could just do 10 days . They're not exactly my fave thing but you get used to them, sometimes they hurt more than others. You just have to do it and get it over with, it takes 2 seconds. Grab a good portion of skin/chunk on your tummy, inject at a 45ish degree angle, push the needle in quickly but inject fairly slowly. Don't rub it afterwards but hold your hand over it and gently press if it stings a bit. X

@gingertom11 I suppose the longer you're on then for the more you get used to them. I know they're a necessity so will do them if I have to but was hoping there was maybe an oral alternative

@Poppygirl96 my OH hated doing it. I was awful. I think the baby blues made it so much worse. I'd cry before he even got the damn thing out.

@gingertom11 I've never come across anyone else who had to do this too. It's bloody awful isn't it?! I had a few miscarriages too and had to do it through those as well.. as if a miscarriage wasn't bad enough

They're not the type of injection you get used to unfortunately.. not for me anyway. As pp said, they're worse sometimes and it's just luck of the draw whether you have a bad one or not. It's bloody tough to go months doing it

I've got a needle phobia and have had 2 sections, the nurses said the injections are optional and of course advised. Although as long as your active and keep your socks on throughout the nights for a prolonged period at home and keep an eye on your legs then it will be ok. Worked for me both times but it's your choice but the important thing is there is a choice and it's not compulsory.

There isn’t an oral alternative unfortunately. I understand they are not nice but if you don’t have them and end up with a blood clot as a result you’ll be on them an awful lot longer!

I'm in the same boat as gingertom11 and Birdyfly and agree they're not really something you get used to. I'm 31 weeks into pregnancy number 2 with them and they still hurt like hell. Some days are fine and others I've had to pull the injection back out because the pain was unbearable. 10 days is really nothing. Make sure you grab the fattiest part you can. I made the mistake last time of doing my arms and legs...ouch is all I can say. Had lumpy legs for months afterwards. Still doing them in my tummy this time as I have a lot to pinch 😂

I had tinzaparin, whatever that is and I did it in my stomach. I was lucky that it didn't bother me though.

The oral alternative is rivaroxiban but it is not suitable for everyone and I don't think its suitable post natally but you could ask your midwife.

Another one for Clexane. I only had them for a week though. Not pleasant but had to be done.

Last time I did it in my leg. The one time I did it in my stomach it felt like it was going through raw chicken I get what you're saying @Babypug but if they advise it I'd still reluctantly (cry and) agree. I just feel like they do it as a cover all. You'd think they would at least assess your risk and prescribe a dose based on that. I was on my feet within hours of surgery, discharged the next day and down the shops by day three. I feel like some of it is probably precautionary because they pressure you are going to be sedentary for a prolonged period by I was the complete opposite. The health visitor and midwife felt the need to remind me I'd just had major surgery as I was bounding about the place haha. But I know some people are prescribed it for longer (6 weeks) and then there are people like @gingertom11 @Birdyfly and @SpiltMilk100 and I've got it damn easy in comparison. I'm still going to cry every day though

I had to do thrm throughout both pregnancies and 6 weeks after for various reasons and I really did get used to thrm
Tips
The harder you pinch the fat the less it hurts
Inject at a slight diagonal
You can ice area before if you want
Stomach hurts less than pain
Alternate sides and don't go anywhere near a bruise
The fattier the tissue the less it hurts
The needles with the guard on hurt less than the old school looking needles
If it really hurts as soon as you prick yourself take it out as you might have hit a nerve, move a cm to the side and all will be fine
The lower it is the more painful (obvs have to do below belly button)

*stomach hurts less than legs

Also if you hit a vein it can hurt too

Rub an ice cube on your belly before the jab..